sifting stars

[Detritivore]

exactly how do you acclimate sand sifting stars?

[BeesGoneWild]

I would do a search on drip acclimation. However i would not recommend putting a sand sifting star in your 20gal as it would eat all your sand bed critters and then starve to death in a few months at best.

[romunov]

I second BeesGoneWild.

[Neptune's Nemesis]

When you get them home immediately take the bag back to your car and drive back to the LFS. Hand the bag back to the salesman or saleswoman and ask to speak to someone who knows something about reeftanks.

[Detritivore]

lol...i didnt actually get the stars, but i was thinking about it

[RBU1]

Sorry but I have to put in my 2 cent's. I have had a sand sifting star in my tank for 3 months. He is healthy and doing great. I have a great deal of algae growing in the sand with also a great deal of pods. So as far as taking them back to the LFS I have to disagree. I think they are kind of neat to have in the tank.

[Blown 346]

I agree with RBU1, i have had my sand sifting star for over a year in my 75 and it is still going strong. I still see pods all over right when my lights turn on.
With any starfish you would want to float the bag for 15 minutes to adjust the temp between the tank and the bag. After the 15 minutes openthe bad and add a cup of tank water in the bag every 5 minutes until the bag is full. Once the bag is full empty half out and start acclimation over until bag is full , then place in tank. This procedure also goes for corals and fish. Dimming the room and turning the tank lights out also reduces un wanted stress.

[Zaphod]

I agree with blown 346 I have had a sand sifting star fish for a year and a half and no problems I still have tons of pods and worms

[Saltz Creep]

I think mine also prefers detritus to pods and worms.

[Neptune's Nemesis]

All I have to say is look at the size tank listed in jonah's current tank. Also usually it is the microrganisms and worms that the stars decimate not pods. Before I got a tank I could not wait to put some stars in it but then after I read about them they won't be visiting my reef. Now everyone put down your danders and remember it is your tank do what you like.

[Larry Waughon]

jonah310,Check out DR Rons forum, He along with many others feal they eat all your good critters out of your sand.

[Detritivore]

thanx everyone...i think wait on the star, but ill remember the acclimation procedure for later when i get my bigger tank...thats if i get my bigger tank....:(

[shellnut]

We started our nano-cube for two reasons -- first, I love reef tanks, and second, my little girl wanted a starfish. Is there a starfish that is appropriate for a 12-gal nano cube?